* The governor’s Tony Rezko problem is not just bad news for the governor…

‘’I think this strikes fear into the Blagojevich administration and the Statehouse Democrats but not into the Obama campaign,'’ says state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Westmont, a John McCain delegate to the GOP convention but an old friend of Obama.

* The governor is having a big impact on how local campaigns are being run…

A visitor peeking at Illinois’ legislative elections this year might assume that every Republican candidate is running against the same unlucky Democrat: Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The website for Dwight Kay, Republican challenger for the Collinsville-area seat in the Illinois House, touts an impeachment petition — not against his Democratic opponent this year, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, but against Blagojevich, who isn’t up for re-election for two more years.

John Cavaletto, the Republican candidate for the open House seat in the Carlyle area, names Democratic opponent Patti Hahn exactly one time on his website — while giving Blagojevich six mentions (none of them flattering).

And in deep Southern Illinois, Republican businessman Ken Burzynski is challenging incumbent state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton — though that’s not at all clear from the television ad Burzynski cut last month.

“Say ‘no’ to Blagojevich,” intones the announcer. “Ken Burzynski for state Senate.”

* Literally every contested state legislative race this fall features GOP attacks on Blagojevich. The Republican message is clear…

[State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna] McKenna hopes Blagojevich has more of an impact than Obama.

“In the state races, you’ve got this Blagojevich factor,” he said.

McKenna said voters are aware of problems in Springfield, and that the state Senate, House and governorship are all in the hands of the Democratic Party.

“There’s only one party to blame,” he said. “If you want change in the state, you want to vote Republican.”

* It’s not just Rezko, either…

The 86-acre farm is one of 24 state parks and historic sites set to close at the end of November, part of a plan by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to balance a more than $2 billion budget deficit that he blames on the General Assembly.

“I’ll tell you what,” said Crow, the economic development director in Randolph County. “The people in southern Illinois and Randolph County, we’re mad as hell. We’re tired of being caught between the leveraging that goes on between Chicago and Springfield.”

* And it’s not just state legislative races…

Democratic challenger Dan Seals and U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk have launched a new ad battle over tax hikes and the Iraq war. […]

Kirk’s new broadcast ad attempts to link Seals to Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. The ad says Seals wants to raise taxes that 10th District residents can’t afford. […]

Kirk said Seals, Blagojevich and Stroger all represent “a philosophy of continuing tax hikes.”

The Rod and Todd show is appearing in just about every Chicago-area mailer and TV ad these days.

* More…

West suburban Republican U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam is facing a political newcomer with comparatively little campaign money and no TV presence, yet he is spending money on a new ad blitz in an attempt to tie his foe to unpopular Gov. Rod Blagojevich and convicted political fundraiser Tony Rezko.

A campaign spokesman insists Roskam is not concerned ahead of the Nov. 4 election, just being aggressive.

“We don’t take any opponent lightly. Any person who puts their name on the ballot is a credible opponent,” spokesman Matt Vriesema said.

Nobody knows yet whether any of this will work, but it’s about all the Republicans have this year to counter the growing national discontent with their party and their party’s presidential candidate, and the fact that Barack Obama is sure to carry Illinois in a big way.

*** UPDATE *** Oops. I forgot to mention a video I posted over the weekend. The DCCC is attempting to link Republican Marty Ozinga to Gov. Blagojevich…

Thoughts?

* Related…

* Governor shirks responsibility on restoring cuts

* State Capitol Notebook: Pharmacists eat cost of drugs

* Leadership gets swept away

* Delay in park closing court case

* Political murals get ax at Jaycees’ Haunted House